Top artists bring Indian classical music to Beijing

Indian sitar artist Niladri Kumar. Photo/CGTN

Top artists from India have brought the enchanting sounds of their country's rich musical heritage to Beijing through two traditional instruments.

World-famous Indian sitar artist Niladri Kumar was the lead performer at the concert, accompanied by tabla player Vijay Ghate.

These celebrated musicians, maestros of their instruments, have enthralled music enthusiasts across continents.

The concert brought together Indian expats in Beijing, as well as Chinese and Indian music lovers, who were treated to a musical feast from traditional ragas and folk music from India.

Among the stars of the evening were the two traditional Indian musical instruments, sitar and tabla, used primarily in Hindu classical music.

Kumar, a fifth-generation sitarist from a family of musicians, said he was glad to introduce the instruments to the Chinese audience.

"Sitar is a very traditional Indian (musical) instrument. Although China and India are neighbors, people have not been exposed to this instrument as it should have been. So I'm trying to play this instrument to a Chinese audience in a way that they don't have to learn anything about it, they just need to enjoy it. If they enjoy it, the instrument is introducing itself to them," sitar master Niladri Kumar said.

The concert was the last show of the fifth Chaiti Arts Festival, which was initiated by the Indian Consulate General in Shanghai.

The annual festival is a showcase of Indian classical music, classical dance and arts. It aims to highlight India's rich musical and cultural legacies by bringing the best of Indian performers to China.

Over the years, it has become an occasion for the Indian expat community in China to get together.

Organizers believe that music, arts and culture are much better at connecting people.

"I think culture exchange is more important than political exchange. Because culture exchange resonates with the heart. And what resonates with the heart resonates with the mind," Niladri Kumar says.

Before the Beijing stop, the two artists also toured in Shanghai. The festival also features workshops, classes and collaborative projects.